Office for Persons with Disabilities, Krakow University of Economics

The Office for Persons with Disabilities (OPD) has been operating at the Krakow University of Economics since 2008. The aim of the Office is to provide help and support to students with disabilities and other needs (health, psychological) both in matters related to education and integration in the academic environment. The KUE Office cooperates with other universities in the city and the country, as well as with the Krakow City Hall. Employees of the OPD are tasked with looking for optimal solutions in:

• Removing architectural barriers;
• Purchase of specialized equipment;
• Conducting trainings to increase the awareness of university employees and non-disabled students, change their attitude towards people with disabilities and break stereotypes;
• Developing modern technologies supporting people with disabilities;
• Conducting psychological consultations for students.

Our staff members: https://bon.uek.krakow.pl/p,12,sklad-osobowy

 

FOR CANDIDATES:

The Krakow University of Economics is open and friendly towards people with disabilities, so by choosing a degree at KUE candidates can be sure to become full-fledged students of a university and a member of the academic community. Just like their peers, KUE students with disabilities can:

• obtain specialist knowledge at the same level as others, despite e.g. sight or hearing disabilities;
• travel all over Europe and beyond, thanks to international cooperation and funding for people with disabilities through, for example, the Erasmus mobility program;
• work in student organizations and scientific clubs;
• attend internships and apprenticeships in the most important Krakow companies, thanks to their cooperation with KUE;
• gain a chance for employment already in the last years of studies, thanks to the fact that KUE students are desired by leading national and international corporations and a wide range of companies.

In addition, students can:

• receive support from OPD employees;
• participate in courses, classes and camps for students with disabilities;
• strengthen their professional qualifications thanks to workshops and trainings organized by the OPD;
• talk to a psychologist;
• work in the Association of Disabled Students - a student organization focused on the integration and support of students with disabilities at KUE;
• receive financial support from the University in the form of, for example, a special scholarship for students with disabilities or grants, as well as from the Active Local Government program;
• keep track of information on external programs aimed at supporting people with disabilities,
• participate in the KUE Academic Sports Union section for the Disabled and win medals at national swimming competitions;
• and enjoy many more opportunities.

On the CUE Campus:

A big advantage of the Krakow University of Economics is its Campus and its location. Almost all the buildings of the University are grouped in one place and the University is located in the very center of Krakow, near the Main Railway Station and the Mogilskie Roundabout. As a result, communication and movement on the Campus and it its vicinity is made easier. This is especially important for people with mobility or vision disabilities.

In order for each of the University's buildings to be fully adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, OPD UEK in cooperation with units at the University, carries out activities to eliminate architectural barriers. The result of these efforts are elevators, special lifts, driveways, adapted toilets, as well as leveled curbs, integration pavements or even signs describing rooms in Braille. KUE is also introducing a voice navigation system combined with a virtual tour of the Campus for people with visual disabilities. Induction loops supporting hearing for the hearing impaired were also installed in the New Hall – Hall C and in rooms 7, 8 in Pavilion S.

In the Mercury dormitory there are four places adapted to the needs of people with mobility disabilities and two rooms for people with hearing disabilities.

The process of adapting the University is both capital and time-consuming. Therefore, there remain several not fully adapted locations on the KUE Campus. Of course, this situation is constantly improving.

 

FOR STUDENTS:

The Order of the KUE Rector, Prof. Stanisław Mazur, R.0211.62.2022 on “the introduction of the Rules for providing educational support for students and doctoral students with disabilities or chronic diseases at the Krakow University of Economics”, entered into force on October 18, 2022. In it, interested persons can find all the information about the scope of the OPD and the educational support provided.

Visually impaired students

Required documents

• Personal questionnaire (download below);
• Disability certificate or equivalent document, or Medical certificate/documentation.

Forms of support

People with visual impairments can apply for support in the form of:

1. During lectures, exercises, laboratories, tutorials, seminars:
   • ability to record classes;
   • possibility of receiving from lecturers learning materials in accessible form (e.g. in electronic form, printout with enlarged font);
   • ability to use during classes a private computer/tablet with installed specialized software;
   • possibility of using additional optical aids (mono-glasses, magnifier).
2. During tests/exams:
   • increasing their duration (up to 50% more beyond the standard time);
   • enabling written exams to be taken on a computer with specialized software;
   • sheets printed in enlarged form;
   • changing the form of conducting the exam from written to oral or vice versa.
3. Other:
   • Adaptation of learning materials (textbooks, articles) to a form accessible to people with visual impairment;
   • in the Office for Persons with Disabilities students can also borrow voice recorders, enlargers and mono-glasses (in order to choose the right equipment, students must first report to the Office);
   • for newly admitted students with severe visual disabilities, OPD provides spatial orientation lessons on the CUE Campus (maximum 10 lesson hours).

In addition, students can take advantage of the following forms of support:

• Language courses delivered in alternative formats;
• Physical Education classes;
• Individual consultations/classes;
• Teaching assistant.

In order to take advantage of the proposed forms of support or to obtain more information, student should contact the Office for Persons with Disabilities directly. Inquires can also be made via email or phone call in order to make an appointment.

 

Hearing impaired students

Required documents

• Personal questionnaire (download below);
• Disability certificate or equivalent document, or Medical certificate/documentation.

Forms of support

People with hearing impairments can apply for support in the form of:

1. During lectures, exercises, laboratories, tutorials, seminars:
   • Polish Sign Language interpreter service;
   • the possibility of receiving learning materials from the teachers in good time before the start of classes (e.g. an outline in electronic or paper form, main theses, bibliography, multimedia presentation);
   • the possibility of using assistive hearing technologies (e.g. an induction loop).
2. During tests/exams:
   • extending their duration (up to 50% more beyond the standard time);
   • Polish Sign Language interpreter service;
   • exemption from the auditory and oral part during foreign language tests/exams;
   • changing the form of test/exam from oral to written,

In addition, students can take advantage of the following forms of support:

• Language courses delivered in alternative formats;
• Physical Education classes;
• Individual consultations/classes;
• Teaching assistant.

Important! Induction loops are installed on the KUE campus for the hearing impaired utilizing hearing aids. Students wishing to use the loop during classes are asked to contact OPD UEK.

In order to take advantage of the proposed forms of support or to obtain more information, students should contact the Office for Persons with Disabilities directly. Inquires can also be made via email or phone call in order to make an appointment.

Students with musculoskeletal dysfunction

Required documents

• Personal questionnaire (download below);
• Disability certificate or equivalent document, or Medical certificate/documentation.

Forms of support

People with locomotor dysfunction can apply for support in the form of:

1. Lectures, exercises, laboratories, tutorials, seminars:
   • changing the rooms in which classes are held with architecturally accessible ones;
   • possibility to modify the schedule of classes and/or change the student group;
   • the possibility of receiving learning materials from the lecturers;
   • the possibility of recording classes by the student;
   • the possibility of using assistive devices and assistive technologies (e.g. computer, tablet).
2. During tests/exams:
   • extending their duration (up to 50% more beyond the standard time);
   • changing the form of conducting the exam from written to oral or vice versa;
   • enabling written exams to be taken on a computer;
   • opportunity to take short breaks during classes.

In addition, students can take advantage of the following forms of support:

• Obtaining entry and parking cards for KUE Campus;
• Physical Education classes;
• Individual consultations/classes;
• Teaching assistant.

In order to take advantage of the proposed forms of support or to obtain more information, students should contact the Office for Persons with Disabilities directly. Inquires can also be made via email or phone call in order to make an appointment.

 

Students with chronic diseases

Required documents

1. Personal questionnaire (download below);
2. Disability certificate or equivalent document;
3. Medical certificate/documentation.

Forms of support

People with chronic diseases can apply for support in the form of:

1. Lectures, exercises, laboratories, tutorials, seminars:
   • increasing the limit of class absences and the possibility of catching up, on terms agreed with the lecturers;
   • possibility of modifying the schedule of classes, minimizing absences related to planned treatments;
   • possibility of receiving learning materials from the lecturers;
   • the possibility of using assistive devices and assistive technologies (e.g. computer, tablet);
   • individual adjustment of classes.
2. During tests/exams:
   • extending their duration (up to 50% more beyond the standard time);
   • changing the form of conducting the exam from written to oral or vice versa;
   • enabling written exams to be taken on a computer;
   • in case of an exam covering extensive material, the possibility of taking it in parts;
   • possibility of organizing an individual mode of passing tests/exams;
   • individual adjustment of the test/exam.

In addition, students can take advantage of the following forms of support:

• Alternative Physical Education classes;
• Individual consultations/classes.

In order to take advantage of the proposed forms of support or to obtain more information, students should contact the Office for Persons with Disabilities directly. Inquires can also be made via email or phone call in order to make an appointment.

 

Students with other health difficulties

Required documents

• Personal questionnaire (download below);
• Disability certificate or equivalent document, or Medical certificate/documentation.

Students with other health problems that make it difficult to study, and students whose sudden illness or accident results in temporary inability to fully participate in classes, are invited to contact the staff of the Office for Persons with Disabilities. During consultations with specialists, it will be possible to develop adaptations of classes/exams that will be tailored to individual needs resulting from the state of health and the specificity of the studied degree program. Details on the forms of contact with specialists of the Office for Persons with Disabilities can be found in the Contact tab.

 

Scholarship for people with disabilities

In order to receive a scholarship for people with disabilities, students must have one of the following documents:

• Decision on the degree of disability issued by the Polish District Disability Assessment Team;
• A decision on incapacity for work issued by a medical examiner of the Polish Social Insurance Institution (ZUS).

Before applying for a scholarship, it is necessary to register the decision with the Office for Persons with Disabilities. The amount of the scholarship depends on the degree of disability. Scholarship applications are registered in the USOSweb system in the tab FOR EVERYONE / APPLICATIONS.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT CENTER:

Type and forms of support

The Psychological Support Center offers short-term help in the area of emotional problems and psychologically difficult situations while studying and in other spheres of life. Additionally counseling is provided in the search for psychotherapeutic care, health promotion and psychoeducation. The assistance offered is tailored to the individual needs of the persons applying. It may be granted in the form of:

• psychological consultations covering a cycle of up to 5 meetings;
• psychoeducational support;
• consultations for employees on matters concerning students;
• mental health training;
• personal development workshops.

The general formula of support provided during the meeting with a psychologist includes:

• the opportunity to listen carefully and understand the difficulties experienced;
• assistance in the effective use of emotional resources;
• help in coping with excessive emotional tension;
• assistance in finding solutions to psychologically difficult situations.

Psychological consultation (a series of up to 5 meetings) aims to: ·       getting to know the expectations of the person; ·       broadening the person's awareness of the subject of experienced difficulties; ·       establishing satisfactory changes in attitudes towards difficult situations; ·       learning new, more constructive behaviors.

Psychoeducational support aims to: ·       recognition of the type of difficulties experienced, ·       adjusting the conditions of study to the type of difficulty, ·       proposing a form of further assistance.

 

To make an appointment for a consultation, simply write an e-mail to: cwp@uek.krakow.pl

 

 

 

OPD CONTACT

Office for Persons with Disabilities

Krakow University of Economics

Rakowicka Street 27

Pavilion Biblioteka, Room 229

31-510 Krakow

Phone: +48 12 293 51 20

Phone/fax: +48 12 293 51 19

Mobile phone: +48 695 608 630 / +48 695 608 640

Mobile phone (SMS/text only): +48 881 921 211

e-mail: bon@uek.krakow.pl
www.bon.uek.krakow.pl
www.facebook.com/BONUEK

Office hours:

• Monday 8:00 - 16:00;
• Tuesday 8:00 - 16:00;
• Wednesday 8:00 - 16:00;
• Thursday 8:00 - 16:00;
• Friday 8:00 - 16:00;
• Saturday (individual Saturdays, staff on duty) 8:00 - 13:00.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT CENTER – CONTACT

Psychological Support Centre Krakow University of Economics Rakowicka Street 27, Pavilion Ustronie, 31-510 Krakow Phone: +48 12 293 51 17
e-mail: cwp@uek.krakow.pl